User interface system for display-less input devices

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing an on-demand user interface for an input device. The system includes a first device and a second device. The first device is configured to receive a first user input and select a first notification from a plurality of notifications stored on the first device based at least in part on the first user input. The first device then outputs the first notification using one or more hardware resources. The second device detects the first notification output by the first device and matches the first notification to a first content item stored on the second device. The first content item includes instructions for providing a second user input on the first device. The second device then renders the first content item on a display. The first device further receives the second user input subsequent to the first user input.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiments relate generally to input devices, andspecifically to a user interface system for display-less input devices.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

Authentication is a mechanism for verifying the identity of a user(e.g., an individual or entity) attempting to access a device and/orapplication. A basic form of authentication may require a user to inputa username and password via an input device. However, usernames andpasswords are easily stolen and can be used by anyone (e.g., not justthe authorized user) to gain access to a corresponding device orapplication. Thus, modern authentication schemes increasingly rely onbiometric sensors (e.g., capable of identifying unique biologicalcharacteristics of the user) to provide greater levels of security.Example biometric sensors include: fingerprint scanners, facialrecognition systems, eye scanners, voice recognition systems, and thelike. Thus, biometric sensors may be configured to receive biometricinputs (e.g., user inputs containing one or more biometric signatures).

Before a biometric sensor can be used for authentication, the user mustfirst enroll or register one or more biometric signatures (e.g.,fingerprint, face, retina, voice, and the like). During the enrollmentprocess, the user may be required to provide a biometric input multipletimes with slightly different variations, such as by changing the pose,orientation, and/or offset of the biometric input. This is to ensurerobust performance of the biometric sensors during authentication. Oncethe enrollment process is completed, the biometric sensors may beconfigured and/or trained to recognize the user's biometric signature.Accordingly, the biometric sensors may be used to authenticate the userin response to subsequent biometric inputs.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selectionof concepts that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tolimit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A system and method for providing an on-demand user interface for aninput device is disclosed. One innovative aspect of the subject matterof this disclosure can be implemented in a system including a firstdevice and a second device. The first device is configured to receive afirst user input and select a first notification from a plurality ofnotifications stored on the first device based at least in part on thefirst user input. The first device then outputs the first notificationusing one or more hardware resources. The second device detects thefirst notification output by the first device and matches the firstnotification to a first content item stored on the second device. Thefirst content item includes instructions for providing a second userinput on the first device. The second device then renders the firstcontent item on a display. The first device further receives the seconduser input subsequent to the first user input.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter of this disclosure canbe implemented in a display device including a display, one or moreprocessors, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the display device todetect a notification output by an input device; match the notificationto a content item stored on the second device, where the content itemincludes instructions for providing a user input on the input device;and render the content item on the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments are illustrated by way of example and are notintended to be limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example input processing system within which the presentembodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a state diagram depicting an example operation of the inputprocessing system of FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram depicting an example operation of a biometricauthentication system, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4C are block diagrams of biometric authentication systems, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a display device that can be used in aninput processing system, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative flowchart depicting an example operation forprocessing user inputs, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forthsuch as examples of specific components, circuits, and processes toprovide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. The term“coupled” as used herein means connected directly to or connectedthrough one or more intervening components or circuits. Also, in thefollowing description and for purposes of explanation, specificnomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of theaspects of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilledin the art that these specific details may not be required to practicethe example embodiments. In other instances, well-known circuits anddevices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the presentdisclosure. Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow arepresented in terms of procedures, logic blocks, processing and othersymbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computermemory. The interconnection between circuit elements or software blocksmay be shown as buses or as single signal lines. Each of the buses mayalternatively be a single signal line, and each of the single signallines may alternatively be buses, and a single line or bus may representany one or more of a myriad of physical or logical mechanisms forcommunication between components.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present application,discussions utilizing the terms such as “accessing,” “receiving,”“sending,” “using,” “selecting,” “determining,” “normalizing,”“multiplying,” “averaging,” “monitoring,” “comparing,” “applying,”“updating,” “measuring,” “deriving” or the like, refer to the actionsand processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computingdevice, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

The techniques described herein may be implemented in hardware,software, firmware, or any combination thereof, unless specificallydescribed as being implemented in a specific manner. Any featuresdescribed as modules or components may also be implemented together inan integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperablelogic devices. If implemented in software, the techniques may berealized at least in part by a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium comprising instructions that, when executed, performs one or moreof the methods described above. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium may form part of a computer program product, which mayinclude packaging materials.

The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium may comprise randomaccess memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random access memory(SDRAM), read only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory(NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),FLASH memory, other known storage media, and the like. The techniquesadditionally, or alternatively, may be realized at least in part by aprocessor-readable communication medium that carries or communicatescode in the form of instructions or data structures and that can beaccessed, read, and/or executed by a computer or other processor.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits andinstructions described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein may be executed by one or more processors. The term “processor,”as used herein may refer to any general-purpose processor, conventionalprocessor, controller, microcontroller, and/or state machine capable ofexecuting scripts or instructions of one or more software programsstored in memory.

FIG. 1 shows an example input processing system 100 within which thepresent embodiments may be implemented. In some embodiments, the inputprocessing system 100 may provide an on-demand electronic display for adisplay-less input device. The input processing system 100 includes aninput device 110 and a display device 120.

The input device 110 may be configured to receive and process userinputs 101. In some embodiments, the input device 110 may be a completeelectronic system. For example, the input device 110 may be configuredto perform one or more functions in response to the user inputs 101.Example actions may include, but are not limited to, unlocking a door,opening an automated (e.g., garage) door, changing the channel on atelevision, or changing an operation mode of the input device 110.Further, in some embodiments, the input device 110 may be a display-lessdevice. As used herein, the term “display-less” may refer to any devicethat does not contain, nor is permanently coupled to, an electronicdisplay (including any hardware capable of displaying and/or projectinga rich user interface). Example suitable input devices may include, butare not limited to, composite input devices (e.g., physical keyboards,joysticks, key switches, key fobs, and the like) and data input devices(e.g., remote controls, mice, touch pads, and the like).

The input device 110 includes one or more input sources 112,notification hardware (HW) 114, and a notification selector 116. Theinput sources 112 may be configured to receive the user inputs 101. Insome embodiments, the input sources 112 may include electrical ormechanical actuators (e.g., buttons, switches, toggles, capacitivesensors, and the like). For example, the actuators may be used toprovide data and/or selection inputs to the input device 110. In someother embodiments, the input sources 112 may include device sensors(e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, photosensors,temperature sensors, pressure transducers, and the like). Still further,in some embodiments, the input sources 112 may include biometric sensors(e.g., cameras, microphones, fingerprint scanners, and the like). Forexample, the biometric sensors may be used to provide biometric inputsto the input device (e.g., for authentication purposes). In someembodiments, authentication may be required to unlock certain featuresand/or operations of the input device 110 (such as unlocking a door).

The notification hardware 114 may be configured to output one or morenotifications 102 about the user input 101 and/or the input device 110.In some embodiments, the notification hardware 114 may include one ormore light sources and/or speakers to provide a simply user interfacethat can be used to communicate notification information to the user.For example, a blinking green light or gentle beeping sound may be usedto confirm that a user input 101 was successfully processed. On theother hand, a blinking red light or harsh beeping sound may be used toindicate that a user input 101 was not processed successfully and/or theinput device 110 is in a low-battery or error state. The notificationselector 116 may be configured to select the appropriate notification tobe output or otherwise manifested via the notification hardware 114. Insome embodiments, the notification selector 116 may select eachnotification from a database of preconfigured notifications stored onthe input device 110 (not shown for simplicity).

Because the input device 110 lacks an electronic display, thenotification hardware 114 may serve as a simple or rudimentary userinterface (UI) through which the input device 110 may communicate withthe user. However, aspects of the present disclosure recognize that aricher UI (e.g., capable of providing more detailed information and/orinstructions) may be desirable for certain tasks, such as communicatingcomplex instructions to the user. For example, during the process ofenrolling a biometric signature (e.g., to be used for authentication),the user may be required to provide a biometric input multiple timeswith slightly different variations, such as by changing the pose,orientation, and/or offset of the biometric input. Thus, it may bedesirable to display a visual guide for how to provide the biometricinput at each step of the enrollment process. Electronic displays arewell-suited for a rich UI that can be used to guide the user to providemore complex inputs.

It is noted, however, that electronic displays are expensive and consumelarge amounts of processing resources and power. Moreover, the size ofthe display surface may directly affect the richness of the UI. Forexample, richer UIs tend to occupy larger display areas. Aspects of thepresent disclosure further recognize that the input device 110 may beused primarily in the authentication mode, and that enrollmentoperations tend to be triggered very infrequently. Thus, the inputdevice 110 may not benefit from having an electronic display for amajority of its operation. Such low frequency of use may not outweighthe cost or sacrifices in performance, battery life, size and/or designneeded to incorporate a permanent display into the input device 110.

In some embodiments, the display device 120 may be configured to operateas an on-demand display for the input device 110. The display device 120may be any electronic system containing an electronic display (includingany hardware capable of displaying and/or projecting a rich userinterface). Examples of suitable electronic systems may include, but arenot limited to, personal computing devices (e.g., desktop computers,laptop computers, netbook computers, tablets, web browsers, e-bookreaders, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like), data outputdevices (e.g., display screens and printers, and the like), remoteterminals, kiosks, video game machines (e.g., video game consoles,portable gaming devices, and the like), communication devices (e.g.,cellular phones such as smart phones), media devices (e.g., recorders,editors, and players such as televisions, set-top boxes, music players,digital photo frames, digital cameras, and the like), and in-carentertainment systems or controls.

In some embodiments, the input device 110 may use the notificationhardware 114 to communicate information to be displayed on the displaydevice 120. At least some of the notifications 102 generated by theinput device 110 may correspond to rich media content that can berendered or displayed on the display device 120. For example, eachcontent item on the display device 120 may be triggered by a uniquepattern or sequence of lights and/or sounds emitted by the input device110. When the display device 120 detects a particular notification 102output by the input device 110, the display device 120 may display animage or video associated with the detected notification. Accordingly,the display device 120 may provide a rich UI for guiding or instructingthe user to perform complex tasks or user inputs 101 on the input device110.

The display device 120 includes a display 122, detection hardware (HW)124, and a user interface (UI) application 126. The display 122 may beany type of electronic display capable of displaying a rich UI. In someaspects, the display 122 may include any hardware capable of renderingdigital images (e.g., fixed pixel displays, raster scan displays, andthe like) and/or displaying or projecting non-digital images (e.g.,seven-segment displays, fixed-icon displays, and other non-bitmappeddisplays). Example suitable display technologies may include, but arenot limited to, light emitting diode (LED), organic LED (OLED), cathoderay tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, andelectroluminescence (EL). In some aspects, the display 122 may beintegrated as a physical part of the display device 120. In some otheraspects, the display 122 may be physically separated from the displaydevice 120. For example, the display device 120 may be coupled to (andcommunicate with) the display 122 using various wired and/or wirelessinterconnection and communication technologies, such as buses andnetworks. Examples technologies may include Inter-Integrated Circuit(I²C), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), PS/2, Universal Serial bus(USB), Bluetooth®, Infrared Data Association (IrDA), and various radiofrequency (RF) communication protocols defined by the IEEE 802.11standard.

The detection hardware 124 may be configured to detect one or morenotifications 102 output by the input device 110. In some aspects, thedetection hardware 124 implemented by the display device 120 may depend,at least in part, on the notification hardware 114 implemented by theinput device 110. For example, if input device 110 outputs anotification 102 using one or more light sources, the display device 120may detect the notification 102 (e.g., light) using one or more camerasor photosensors. On the other hand, if the input device 110 outputs anotification 102 using one or more speakers, the display device 120 maydetect the notification 102 (e.g., sound) using one or more microphones.Still further, in some embodiments, the input device 110 may output anotification 102 using one or more radio-frequency (RF) transmitters.Accordingly, the display device 120 may detect the notification 102(e.g., RF signal) using one or more RF receivers.

The UI application 126 may be configured to interpret and/or process thenotifications 102 detected by the detection hardware 124. In someembodiments, the UI application 126 may generate and/or update a rich UIon the display 122 in response to notifications 102 output by the inputdevice 110. More specifically, the UI application 126 may select theappropriate content to be rendered on the display 122 (e.g., as part ofthe rich UI) based, at least in part, on the detected notification 102.For example, the UI application 126 may match the detected notification102 to a particular content item (e.g., image, video, or other mediacontent) stored on, or otherwise accessible by, the display device 120.In some aspects, the content items to be rendered on the display 122 mayinclude instructions for performing a complex task or providing a userinput on the input device 110. In a particular embodiment, the UIapplication 126 may display a step-by-step guide for initiating and/orcompleting a biometric enrollment process.

For example, when enrolling a biometric signature, the notificationselector 116 may select a notification 102 that corresponds to aninstruction for providing a biometric input at a given step of theenrollment process. The input device 110 may output the selectednotification 102 via the notification hardware 114 (e.g., as a uniquepattern of lights and/or sounds). The detection hardware 124 detects thenotification 102 output by the input device 110. The UI application 126matches the detected notification 102 to a corresponding content itemstored on the display device 120 and renders the corresponding contentitem on the display 122. For example, the content item may include thevisual guide for providing the next biometric input of the enrollmentprocess. More specifically, the visual guide may include detailed (e.g.,graphical) instructions or directions for how to provide the nextbiometric input (e.g., including the angle, pose, or offset at which theinput is to be provided). This process may be repeated until theenrollment operation is completed.

Accordingly, the display device 120 of the present embodiments mayprovide an on-demand electronic display when a rich UI is desired forthe input device 110 (e.g., when performing complex tasks or user inputs101). As a display-less device, the input device 110 may retain a smallform factor and relatively low hardware complexity. Further, aspects ofthe present disclosure may leverage the existing hardware of the inputdevice 110 (e.g., used for simple notifications) to communicateUI-specific information to the display device 120. Accordingly, varioustypes of display devices may be configured to detect and interpret thenotifications output by the input device 110. Moreover, the input device110 need not have a priori knowledge of the display device 120 in orderto communicate UI-specific information to the display device 120.

The present embodiments further enable the input device 110 to be usedindependently of the display device 120 when a rich UI is no longerneeded. Aspects of the present disclosure recognize that, after theinput device 110 has been trained to recognize or authenticate theuser's biometric signature, the input device 110 may rarely (if ever)need to operate in the enrollment mode again. As described above, thedisplay device 120 may provide little (if any) benefit to the operationof the input device 110 in the authentication mode. The input processingsystem 100 enables the input device 110 to be operated by itself (e.g.,as a self-contained electronic system), without the display device 120.

In a particular embodiment, the input device 110 may be a car key foband the display device 120 may be a smart phone. The key fob may requireuser authentication (e.g., via a fingerprint scanner) before allowingaccess to one or more vehicle controls (such as unlocking the doors orturning on the engine). The smart phone may provide a rich UI during anenrollment process, such as by detecting patterns of light and/or soundemitted by the key fob, which may guide the user in providing biometricinputs (e.g., fingerprints) on the key fob. However, once the key fobhas been trained to recognize or detect the user's biometric signature,the smart phone may no longer be needed for subsequent operation of thekey fob. For example, the user may authenticate herself on the key fob,and thereafter gain access to the car, without the smart phone (or anyother display device) present.

In addition to displaying instructions for interacting with the inputdevice 110, the display device 120 may also display information aboutthe input device 110. Example information may include, but is notlimited to, battery level, number of attempted authentication attempts,and number of operations (e.g., door unlocks) performed perauthentication. In some embodiments, the input device 110 and displaydevice 120 may further be configured for bi-directional communications.For example, the display device 120 may include notification hardwaresimilar to the notification hardware 114 of the input device, and theinput device 110 may include detection hardware similar to the detectionhardware 124 of the display device.

FIG. 2 is a state diagram 200 depicting an example operation of theinput processing system 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with someembodiments. More specifically, the state diagram 200 shows an exampleinteraction between the input device 110 and the display device 120 forpurposes of providing an on-demand electronic display for a display-lessdevice. It is noted, from the example of FIG. 2, that the input device110 is a complete electrical system and does not depend on the displaydevice 120 to operate. In other words, none of the operating states(212-216) of the input device 110 depend on any of the operating states(222-226) of the display device 120.

The input device 110 may receive a user input 212, process the inputdata 214, and generate a notification as a result of the processing 216.In some embodiments of state 212, the input sources 112 may receive abiometric input while the input device is operating in an enrollmentmode. For example, the biometric input may contain one or more biometricsignatures of the user. In some embodiments of state 214, the inputdevice 110 may be trained or otherwise configured to recognize thebiometric signature of the user from a given type of biometric input.For example, the input device 110 may generate or update a biometricprofile which may be used to authenticate subsequent biometric inputs bythe user. In some embodiments of state 216, the input device 110 mayoutput a notification corresponding to an instruction for providinganother user input on the input device 110. In some aspects, thenotification may be output using existing notification hardware (e.g.,lights, speakers, RF transmitters, and the like) on the input device110. Then, returning to state 212, the input device 110 may receive thenext user input for the next step of the enrollment process.

The display device 120 may detect the notification 222, identify UIcontent associated with the notification 224, and display the UI contenton an electronic display 226. In some embodiments of state 222, thedisplay device 120 may detect the notifications when the detectionhardware 124 is positioned within a threshold range of the notificationhardware 114. In some aspects, the notification may be detected usingexisting sensors (e.g., cameras, microphones, RF receivers, and thelike) on the display device 120. In some embodiments of state 224, thedisplay device 120 may execute the UI application 236 to identify thepattern or sequence of notifications (e.g., lights, sounds, RF signals,and the like) output by the input device 110. For example, the UIapplication 126 may match the detected notification to a particularcontent item stored on, or otherwise accessible by, the display device120. In some embodiments of state 226, the UI application 126 may renderthe matching content item on a display of the display device 120. Forexample, the displayed content item may provide a visual guide and/orlist of instructions for providing the next user input on the inputdevice 110.

It is noted that the input device 110 may receive the next user input(at 212) after generating the notification (at 216) and does not dependon any action from the display device 120. In other words, the inputdevice 110 may operate entirely independent of the display device 120.Thus, while the display device 120 may display a rich UI which may helpguide the user's interactions with the input device 110, the rich UI isnot necessary to the operation of the input device 110. For example, anexperienced user who is familiar with the enrollment process may alreadyknow how to provide each subsequent user input (at 212) even without theassistance of the display device 120.

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram depicting an example operation of a biometricauthentication system 300, in accordance with some embodiments. Thebiometric authentication system 300 includes an input device 301 and adisplay device 302. The input device 301 and display device 302 may beexample embodiments of the input device 110 and display device 120,respectively, of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the input device 301 maybe a display-less device and the display device 302 may be configured tooperate as an on-demand electronic display for the input device 301.

At time t₁, the input device 301 receives a selection input 311. In someembodiments, the selection input 311 may be provided using one or moreelectrical or mechanical actuators of the input device 301. For example,the selection input 311 may correspond to one or more button presses.The input device 301 may change its operation mode 312 in response tothe selection input 311. For example, the input device 301 may switchfrom an authentication mode to an enrollment mode. The input device 301may then generate a notification 313 based, at least in part, on themode change 312. For example, the input device 301 may select aparticular notification associated with a set of instructions and/orguide for enrolling or managing (e.g., adding and deleting) biometricsignatures and/or profiles. The notification 313 may be output vianotification hardware on the input device 301. In some embodiments, thenotification hardware may include lights, speakers, RF transmitters,and/or other existing hardware resources of the input device 301 (e.g.,hardware that may serve a function other than communicating UIinformation to a display device).

The display device 302 detects the notification 313 and renders a UIupdate 314 based, at least in part, on the detected notification 313.For example, the notification 313 may be detected via one or moresensors of the display device 302. In some embodiments, the sensors mayinclude cameras, microphones, RF receivers, and/or other existinghardware resources of the display device 302 (e.g., hardware that mayserve a function other than receiving UI information from an inputdevice). A UI application executing on the display device 302 matchesthe detected notification 313 to a particular content item stored on, oraccessible by, the display device 302. The UI application furtherrenders the matching content item on an electronic display (e.g., aspart of a rich UI). For example, the displayed content item may providea visual guide and/or set of instructions for inputting a biometricsignature on the input device 301.

At time t₂, the input device 301 receives a biometric input 321. In someembodiments, the biometric input 321 may be provided using one or morebiometric sensors of the input device 301. For example, the biometricinput 321 may correspond to a scan or recording of a user's fingerprint,face, voice, or other biometric feature. The input device may update abiometric profile 322 for the user based at least in part on thebiometric input 321. For example, the input device 301 may operate inthe enrollment mode when the biometric input 321 is received. Thus, anauthentication application executing on the input device 301 may betrained (or further refined) to recognize the user's biometric signaturefrom the biometric input 321. The input device 301 may then generate anotification 323 based, at least in part, on the profile update 322. Forexample, the input device 301 may select a particular notificationassociated with a set of instructions and/or guide for providing anotherbiometric input (e.g., as part of the enrollment process). Thenotification 323 may again be output via the notification hardware onthe input device 301.

The display device 302 detects the notification 323 and renders a UIupdate 324 based, at least in part, on the detected notification 323.For example, the notification 323 may again be detected via the one ormore sensors of the display device 302. The UI application matches thedetected notification 323 to another content item stored on, oraccessible by, the display device 302. The UI application furtherrenders the matching content item on the electronic display (e.g., aspart of the rich UI). For example, the display content item may providea visual guide and/or set of instructions for inputting anotherbiometric signature on the input device 301. As described above, duringthe enrollment process, the user may be required to provide multiplebiometric inputs with slight variations (e.g., in angle, pose, and/oroffset). Thus, the UI update 324 may display to the user the exactangle, pose, and/or offset at which the next biometric input is to beprovided on the input device 301.

At time t₃, the input device 301 receives another biometric input 331.The biometric input 331 may again be provided using the biometricsensors of the input device 301. However, at this time, the input device301 is no longer operating in the enrollment mode. In some embodiments,the input device 301 may revert back to the authentication mode (e.g.,from the enrollment mode) once the enrollment process is completed. Insome aspects, the input device 301 may be configured to automaticallyswitch to the authentication mode after receiving (and processing) thelast biometric input of the enrollment process. In some other aspects,the input device 301 may be manually switched to the authentication modevia one or more button presses. Accordingly, the input device 301 mayauthenticate the user 332 based on the biometric input 331 received attime t₃. For example, the authentication application of the input device301 may authenticate the user by comparing the biometric input 331 withone or more biometric profiles stored on the input device 301.

It is noted that, while operating in the authentication mode, the inputdevice 301 may not communicate any UI information to the display device302. In some embodiments, the input device 301 may not output anynotifications in response to the biometric inputs 331 received whileoperating in the authentication mode. In some other embodiments, theinput device 301 may continue to output basic notifications (such as agreen light or a red light) in response to biometric inputs 331 forpurposes of indicating whether the authentication was successful.However, such notifications may be easily interpreted by the user, andmay not trigger any UI updates on the display device 302. Moreover,aspects of the present disclosure recognize that the input device 301may remain in the authentication mode for a majority of its operation.Thus, the present embodiments provide the input device 301 the freedomto operate as a standalone display-less device, untethered from thedisplay device 302.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a biometric authentication system 400A, inaccordance with some embodiments. The biometric authentication system400A includes an input device 410 and a display device 420. The inputdevice 410 and display device 420 may be example embodiments of theinput device 110 and display device 120, respectively, of FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, the input device 410 may be a display-less device andthe display device 420 may be configured to operate as an on-demandelectronic display for the input device 410.

The input device 410 includes one or more actuators 412, a biometricsensor 414, a processing system 416, and a light source 418. Theactuators 412 are configured to receive a selection input 401. Exampleactuators may include, but are not limited to, buttons, switches,toggles, and capacitive sensors. The selection input 401 may be used tomake a selection, input data, change an operation mode of the inputdevice 410, and/or cause the input device 410 to perform a particularfunction. The biometric sensor 414 is configured to receive a biometricinput 402. Example biometric sensors may include, but are not limitedto, cameras, microphones, and fingerprint scanners. The biometric input402 may include a user's biometric signature and may be used forauthentication purposes. The light source 418 is configured to outputlight 404. Example light sources may include, but are not limited to,LEDs, lasers, EL materials, and any other photonic devices capable ofemitting light in the visible spectrum, the infrared spectrum, and/orthe ultraviolet spectrum. The light output 404 may provide notificationsabout the inputs 401 and 402 and/or a status of the input device 410.

The processing system 416 is configured to process the inputs 401 and402 received via the actuators 412 and biometric sensor 414,respectively. In some embodiments, the processing system 416 may beimplemented as a set of firmware and/or software modules. Examplemodules may include hardware operation modules for operating hardwaresuch as the actuators 412, biometric sensor 414 and light source 418,and data processing modules for processing data associated with theselection input 401 and biometric input 402. In some embodiments, theprocessing system 416 may include an authentication application 417 toauthenticate and/or enable a user to access one or more functions orfeatures of the input device 410. For example, the authenticationapplication 417 may be configured to operate the actuators 412 andbiometric sensor 414; enroll the biometric signature of a user;authenticate a user based on the his or her biometric signature; andchange an operation mode of the input device 410, such as between anauthentication mode and an enrollment mode.

In some embodiments, the authentication application 417 may furthercontrol the light output 404 from the light source 418 based, at leastin part, on the inputs 401 and/or 402. For example, the authenticationapplication 417 may control the light source 418 to output a green lightto acknowledge a selection input 401 and/or successful authenticationattempt and to output a red light to indicate an error and/orunsuccessful authentication attempt. In some aspects, the authenticationapplication 417 may further control the light source 418 to output aunique pattern of lights corresponding to a rich UI to be displayed onthe display device 420. For example, the authentication application 417may change the color, intensity, duration, and/or number of pulses ofthe light output 404 for each UI-specific light pattern. In someembodiments, the input device 410 may include a light notification store415 to store each of the light patterns that can be output by the lightsource 418. For example, while operating in the enrollment mode, theauthentication application 417 may retrieve a different light patternfrom the light notification store 415 at each step of the enrollmentprocess.

The display device 420 includes one or more actuators 422, a display424, a processing system 426, and a camera 428. The actuators 422 areconfigured to receive user inputs 403. Example actuators 412 mayinclude, but are not limited to, buttons, switches, toggles, andcapacitive sensors. The user inputs 403 may be used to control and/oroperate the display device 420. The display 424 may be configured toprovide a rich UI on the display device 420. Example displays mayinclude any hardware capable of rendering digital images and/ordisplaying or projecting non-digital images. Example displaytechnologies may include, but are not limited, LED, OLED, CRT, LCD,plasma, and EL displays. The rich UI may include digital images, text,video, and/or other media content. The camera 428 is configured todetect the light output 404 by the input device 410. Example cameras mayinclude, but are not limited to, photodiodes, CMOS image sensor arrays,CCD arrays, and any other photosensors capable of detecting wavelengthsof light in the visible spectrum, the infrared spectrum, and/or theultraviolet spectrum.

The processing system 426 is configured to process the light patternsdetected by the camera 428. In some embodiments, the processing system426 may be implemented as a set of firmware and/or software modules.Example modules may include hardware operation modules for operatinghardware such as the actuators 422, display 424, and camera 428, anddata processing modules for processing data associated with the detectedlight patterns. In some embodiments, the processing system 426 mayinclude a user interface (UI) application 427 to enable or otherwisefacilitate user interactions with the display device 420. For example,the UI application 427 may be configured to operate the actuators 422,display 424, and camera 428; render media content on the display 424;and respond to user input 403 by triggering one or more actions. Exampleactions include changing an operation mode of the display device 420and/or graphical user interface (GUI) actions such as cursor movement,selection, menu navigation, and the like.

In some embodiments, the UI application 427 may generate and/or update arich UI on the display 424 to further facilitate user interactions withthe input device 410. In some aspects, the UI application 427 may selectmedia content to be rendered on the display 424 based, at least in part,on the user inputs 403 received via the actuators 422. For example, inresponse to the user input 403, the UI application 427 may display acombination of selection inputs 401 for placing the input device 410 inan enrollment mode. In some other aspects, the UI application 427 mayselect the media content to be rendered on the display 424 based, atleast in part, on the light output 404 by the input device 410. Forexample, the UI application 427 may match the detected light pattern toa particular content item that can be rendered on the display 424. Insome embodiments, the display device 420 may include a lightnotification lookup table (LUT) 425 that can be used to match thedetected light pattern to a corresponding content item. For example,each entry in the LUT 425 may correspond to a respective notification(e.g., light pattern) stored in the light notification store 415.

In some other embodiments, the camera 428 may be used to detect aselection input 401 and/or biometric input 402 on the input device 410.For example, the camera 418 may capture one or more images of a userinteracting with the actuators 412 or biometric sensor 414 of the inputdevice 410. The UI application 427 may determine from the capturedimages (e.g., using image processing techniques) that the userinteraction triggered a particular operation (or the next step of anoperation) on the input device 410. The UI application 427 may thenrender the appropriate media content on the display 424 based on theoperation (or step of the operation) most recently triggered on theinput device 410. In this manner, the display device 420 may generateand/or update the rich UI on the display 424 without receiving anynotifications from the input device 410.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a biometric authentication system 400B, inaccordance with some embodiments. The biometric authentication system400B includes an input device 430 and a display device 440. The inputdevice 430 and display device 440 may be example embodiments of theinput device 110 and display device 120, respectively, of FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, the input device 430 may be a display-less device andthe display device 440 may be configured to operate as an on-demandelectronic display for the input device 430.

The input device 430 includes one or more actuators 432, a biometricsensor 434, a processing system 436, and a speaker 438. The actuators432 and biometric sensor 434 may be example embodiments of the actuators412 and biometric sensor 414, respectively, of FIG. 4A. Thus, theactuators 432 are configured to receive a selection input 401 and thebiometric sensor 434 is configured to receive a biometric input 402. Thespeaker 438 is configured to output audio 406. Example speakers mayinclude, but are not limited to, full-range drivers, mid-range drivers,coaxial drivers, tweeters, woofers, and any other electromechanicaldevices capable of producing sounds in the audible range, supersonicrange, and/or subsonic range. The audio output 406 may providenotifications about the inputs 401 and 402 and/or a status of the inputdevice 430.

The processing system 436 is configured to process the inputs 401 and402 received via the actuators 432 and biometric sensor 434,respectively. In some embodiments, the processing system 436 may beimplemented as a set of firmware and/or software modules. Examplemodules may include hardware operation modules for operating hardwaresuch as the actuators 432, biometric sensor 434 and speaker 438, anddata processing modules for processing data associated with theselection input 401 and biometric input 402. In some embodiments, theprocessing system 436 may include an authentication application 437 toauthenticate and/or enable a user to access one or more functions orfeatures of the input device 430. For example, the authenticationapplication 437 may be configured to operate the actuators 432 andbiometric sensor 434; enroll the biometric signature of a user;authenticate a user based on the his or her biometric signature; andchange an operation mode of the input device 430, such as between anauthentication mode and an enrollment mode.

In some embodiments, the authentication application 437 may furthercontrol the audio output 406 from the speaker 438 based, at least inpart, on the inputs 401 and/or 402. For example, the authenticationapplication 437 may control the speaker 438 to output a gentle beep toacknowledge a selection input 401 and/or successful authenticationattempt and to output a harsh beep to indicate an error and/orunsuccessful authentication attempt. In some aspects, the authenticationapplication 437 may further control the speaker 438 to output a uniquepattern of sounds corresponding to a rich UI to be displayed on thedisplay device 440. For example, the authentication application 437 maychange the pitch, volume, duration, and/or number of pulses of the audiooutput 406 for each UI-specific light pattern. In some embodiments, theinput device 430 may include an audio notification store 435 to storeeach of the audio patterns that can be output by the speaker 438. Forexample, while operating in the enrollment mode, the authenticationapplication 437 may retrieve a different audio pattern from the audionotification store 435 at each step of the enrollment process.

The display device 440 includes one or more actuators 442, a display444, a processing system 446, and a microphone 448. The actuators 442and display 444 may be example embodiments of the actuators 422 anddisplay 424, respectively, of FIG. 4A. Thus, the actuators 442 areconfigured to receive user inputs 403 and the display 444 is configuredto provide a rich UI on the display device 440. The microphone 448 isconfigured to detect the audio output 406 by the input device 430.Example microphones may include, but are not limited to, microphonearrays, omnidirectional, unidirectional, or bi-directional microphones,and any other transducers capable of converting sound waves in theaudible range, supersonic range, and/or subsonic range into electricalsignals.

The processing system 446 is configured to process the audio patternsdetected by the microphone 448. In some embodiments, the processingsystem 446 may be implemented as a set of firmware and/or softwaremodules. Example modules may include hardware operation modules foroperating hardware such as the actuators 442, display 444, andmicrophone 448, and data processing modules for processing dataassociated with the detected audio patterns. In some embodiments, theprocessing system 446 may include a user interface (UI) application 447to enable or otherwise facilitate user interactions with the displaydevice 440. For example, the UI application 447 may be configured tooperate the actuators 442, display 444, and microphone 448; render mediacontent on the display 444; and respond to user input 403 by triggeringone or more actions. Example actions include changing an operation modeof the display device 440 and/or GUI actions such as cursor movement,selection, menu navigation, and the like.

In some embodiments, the UI application 447 may generate and/or update arich UI on the display 444 to further facilitate user interactions withthe input device 430. In some aspects, the UI application 447 may selectmedia content to be rendered on the display 444 based, at least in part,on the user inputs 403 received via the actuators 442. For example, inresponse to the user input 403, the UI application 447 may display acombination of selection inputs 401 for placing the input device 430 inan enrollment mode. In some other aspects, the UI application 447 mayselect the media content to be rendered on the display 444 based, atleast in part, on the audio output 406 by the input device 430. Forexample, the UI application 447 may match the detected audio pattern toa particular content item that can be rendered on the display 444. Insome embodiments, the display device 440 may include an audionotification LUT 445 that can be used to match the detected audiopattern to a corresponding content item. For example, each entry in theLUT 445 may correspond to a respective notification (e.g., audiopattern) stored in the audio notification store 435.

FIG. 4C is a block diagram of a biometric authentication system 400C, inaccordance with some embodiments. The biometric authentication system400C includes an input device 450 and a display device 460. The inputdevice 450 and display device 460 may be example embodiments of theinput device 110 and display device 120, respectively, of FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, the input device 450 may be a display-less device andthe display device 460 may be configured to operate as an on-demandelectronic display for the input device 450.

The input device 450 includes one or more actuators 452, a biometricsensor 454, a processing system 456, and an RF transmitter 458. Theactuators 452 and biometric sensor 454 may be example embodiments of theactuators 412 and biometric sensor 414, respectively, of FIG. 4A. Thus,the actuators 452 are configured to receive a selection input 401 andthe biometric sensor 454 is configured to receive a biometric input 402.The RF transmitter 458 is configured to output an RF signal 408. ExampleRF transmitters may include, but are not limited to, near-fieldcommunication (NFC) radios, Bluetooth radios, Wi-Fi radios, cellularradios, and other suitable RF radios capable of transmitting wirelesscommunication signals. The RF signal 408 may provide notifications aboutthe inputs 401 and 402 and/or a status of the input device 450.

The processing system 456 is configured to process the inputs 401 and402 received via the actuators 452 and biometric sensor 454,respectively. In some embodiments, the processing system 456 may beimplemented as a set of firmware and/or software modules. Examplemodules may include hardware operation modules for operating hardwaresuch as the actuators 452, biometric sensor 454 and RF transmitter 458,and data processing modules for processing data associated with theselection input 401 and biometric input 402. In some embodiments, theprocessing system 456 may include an authentication application 457 toauthenticate and/or enable a user to access one or more functions orfeatures of the input device 450. For example, the authenticationapplication 457 may be configured to operate the actuators 452 andbiometric sensor 454; enroll the biometric signature of a user;authenticate a user based on the his or her biometric signature; andchange an operation mode of the input device 450, such as between anauthentication mode and an enrollment mode.

In some embodiments, the authentication application 457 may furthercontrol the transmission of the RF signal 408 by the RF transmitter 458based, at least in part, on the inputs 401 and/or 402. For example, theauthentication application 457 may control the RF transmitter 458 totransmit a first coded signal to acknowledge a selection input 401and/or successful authentication attempt and to transmit a second codedsignal to indicate an error and/or unsuccessful authentication attempt.In some aspects, the authentication application 457 may further controlthe RF transmitter 458 to transmit a unique codeword corresponding to arich UI to be displayed on the display device 440. For example, theauthentication application 457 may modulate the amplitude, frequency,and/or phase of the RF signal 408 for each UI-specific codeword. In someembodiments, the input device 450 may include an RF notification store455 to store each of the codewords that can be output by the RFtransmitter 458. For example, while operating in the enrollment mode,the authentication application 457 may retrieve a different codewordfrom the RF notification store 455 at each step of the enrollmentprocess.

The display device 460 includes one or more actuators 462, a display464, a processing system 466, and an RF receiver 468. The actuators 462and display 464 may be example embodiments of the actuators 422 anddisplay 424, respectively, of FIG. 4A. Thus, the actuators 462 areconfigured to receive user inputs 403 and the display 464 is configuredto provide a rich UI on the display device 460. The RF receiver 468 isconfigured to detect the RF signals 408 transmitted by the input device450. Example RF receivers may include, but are not limited to, NFCradios, Bluetooth radios, Wi-Fi radios, cellular radios, and othersuitable RF radios capable of receiving wireless communication signals.

The processing system 466 is configured to process the RF codewordsdetected by the RF receiver 468. In some embodiments, the processingsystem 466 may be implemented as a set of firmware and/or softwaremodules. Example modules may include hardware operation modules foroperating hardware such as the actuators 462, display 464, and RFreceiver 468, and data processing modules for processing data associatedwith the detected codewords. In some embodiments, the processing system466 may include a user interface (UI) application 467 to enable orotherwise facilitate user interactions with the display device 460. Forexample, the UI application 467 may be configured to operate theactuators 462, display 464, and RF receiver 468; render media content onthe display 464; and respond to user input 403 by triggering one or moreactions. Example actions include changing an operation mode of thedisplay device 460 and/or GUI actions such as cursor movement,selection, menu navigation, and the like.

In some embodiments, the UI application 467 may generate and/or update arich UI on the display 464 to further facilitate user interactions withthe input device 450. In some aspects, the UI application 467 may selectmedia content to be rendered on the display 464 based, at least in part,on the user inputs 403 received via the actuators 462. For example, inresponse to the user input 403, the UI application 467 may display acombination of selection inputs 401 for placing the input device 450 inan enrollment mode. In some other aspects, the UI application 467 mayselect the media content to be rendered on the display 464 based, atleast in part, on the RF signals 408 transmitted by the input device450. For example, the UI application 467 may match the detected codewordto a particular content item that can be rendered on the display 464. Insome embodiments, the display device 460 may include an RF notificationLUT 465 that can be used to match the detected codeword to acorresponding content item. For example, each entry in the LUT 465 maycorrespond to a respective notification (e.g., codeword) stored in theRF notification store 455.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a display device 500 that can be used in aninput processing system, in accordance with some embodiments. Thedisplay device 500 may be an example embodiment of the display device120 of FIG. 1 and/or any of the display device 420, 440, or 460 of FIGS.4A-4C. In some embodiments, the display device 500 may be configured toprovide an on-demand display for a display-less input device.

The display device 500 includes a display 510, a device interface 520, aprocessor 530, and a memory 540. The display 510 may be any type ofelectronic display capable of displaying a rich UI. Example suitabledisplay technologies may include, but are not limited to, LED, OLED,CRT, LCD, plasma, and EL. In some aspects, the display 510 may beintegrated as a physical part of the display device 500. In some otheraspects, the display 510 may be physically separated from the displaydevice 500. For example, the display 510 may be coupled to (andcommunicate with) the display device 500 using various wired and/orwireless interconnection and communication technologies.

The device interface 520 may include a camera interface 524, amicrophone interface 526, and an RF receiver interface 528. The camerainterface 524 may be used to communicate with a camera of the displaydevice 500 (such as the camera 428 of FIG. 4A). For example, the camerainterface 524 may transmit signals to, and receive signals from, thecamera to capture light-based notifications (e.g., light output 404)from the input device. The microphone interface 526 may be used tocommunicate with a microphone of the display device 500 (such as themicrophone 448 of FIG. 4B). For example, the microphone interface 526may transmit signals to, and receive signals from, the microphone toacquire audio-based notifications (e.g., audio output 406) from theinput device. The RF receiver interface 528 may be used to communicatewith an RF receiver of the display device (such as the RF receiver 468of FIG. 4C). For example, the RF receiver interface 528 may transmitsignals to, and receive signals from, the RF receiver to detect RF-basednotifications (e.g., RF signal 408) from the input device.

The memory 540 includes a UI content store 541 configured to store mediacontent (e.g., images, videos, text, and the like) that can be renderedon the display 510. In some embodiments, the UI content store 541 maystore one or more content items associated with notifications detectedfrom the input device (e.g., via the device interface 520). In someaspects, the one or more content items may include instructions forproviding user input on, or otherwise interacting with, the inputdevice. For example, the UI content store 541 may include a lightnotification LUT 542, an audio notification LUT 543, and/or an RFnotification LUT 544.

The light notification LUT 542 may be an example embodiment of the lightnotification LUT 425 of FIG. 4A. For example, the light notification LUT542 may be used to match light patterns detected via the camerainterface 524 to UI-specific content items stored in the UI contentstore 541. The audio notification LUT 543 may be an example embodimentof the audio notification LUT 445 of FIG. 4B. For example, the audionotification LUT 543 may be used to match audio patterns detected viathe microphone interface 526 to UI-specific content items stored in theUI content store 541. The RF notification LUT 544 may be an exampleembodiment of the RF notification LUT 465 of FIG. 4C. For example, theRF notification LUT 465 may be used to match RF codewords detected viathe RF receiver interface 528 to UI-specific content items stored in theUI content store 541.

The memory 540 may also include a non-transitory computer-readablemedium (e.g., one or more nonvolatile memory elements, such as EPROM,EEPROM, Flash memory, a hard drive, etc.) that may store at least thefollowing software (SW) modules:

-   -   a user interface SW module 545 to generate and/or update a rich        UI on the display 510, the user interface SW module 545 further        including:        -   a light detection sub-module 546 to detect light-based            notifications output by the input device and render, on the            display 510, a content item associated with the detect light            pattern;        -   an audio detection sub-module 547 to detect audio-based            notifications output by the input device and render, on the            display 510, a content item associated with the detect audio            pattern; and        -   an RF detection sub-module 548 to detect RF-based            notifications transmitted by the input device and render, on            the display 510, a content item associated with the detect            RF codeword.            Each software module includes instructions that, when            executed by the processor 530, cause the display device 500            to perform the corresponding functions. The non-transitory            computer-readable medium of memory 540 thus includes            instructions for performing all or a portion of the            operations described below.

The processor 530 may be any suitable one or more processors capable ofexecuting scripts or instructions of one or more software programsstored in the display device 500 (e.g., within memory 540). For example,the processor 530 may execute the user interface SW module 545 togenerate and/or update a rich UI on the display 510. In executing theuser interface SW module 545, the processor 530 may further execute thelight detection sub-module 546, the audio detection sub-module 547,and/or the RF detection sub-module 548.

For example, the processor 530 may execute the light detectionsub-module 546 to detect light-based notifications output by the inputdevice and render, on the display 510, a content item associated withthe detect light pattern. Further, the processor 530 may execute theaudio detection sub-module 547 to detect audio-based notificationsoutput by the input device and render, on the display 510, a contentitem associated with the detect audio pattern. Still further, theprocessor 530 may execute the RF detection sub-module 548 to detectRF-based notifications transmitted by the input device and render, onthe display 510, a content item associated with the detect RF codeword.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative flowchart depicting an example operation 600for processing user inputs, in accordance with some embodiments. Withreference for example to FIG. 1, the operation 600 may be performed byan input processing system 100 that includes an input device 110 and adisplay device 120. In some embodiments, the example operation 600 maybe used to provide an on-demand rich UI for a display-less input device.

The system 100 receives a first user input at a first device (610). Forexample, the first user input may be provided using one or more inputsources 112 of the input device 110. In some embodiments, the inputsources 112 may include electrical or mechanical actuators (e.g.,buttons, switches, toggles, capacitive sensors, and the like). Forexample, the actuators may be used to provide data and/or selectioninputs to the input device 110. In some other embodiments, the inputsources 112 may include device sensors (e.g., accelerometers,gyroscopes, magnetometers, photosensors, temperature sensors, pressuretransducers, and the like). Still further, in some embodiments, theinput sources 112 may include biometric sensors (e.g., cameras,microphones, fingerprint scanners, and the like). For example, thebiometric sensors may be used to provide biometric inputs to the inputdevice (e.g., for authentication purposes).

The system 100 selects a notification from a plurality of notificationsstored on the first device based at least in part on the first userinput (620). In some embodiments, the notifications may be used to guidea user to provide additional user inputs and/or perform complex tasks onthe input device 110. More specifically, at least some of thenotifications stored on the input device 110 may correspond to richmedia content that can be rendered or displayed on the display device120. For example, the rich media content may include images, videos,and/or text that provides a visual guide or detailed instructions forproviding a subsequent user input, or otherwise interacting with, theinput device 110.

The system 100 then outputs the selected notification using one or morehardware resources of the first device (630). In some embodiments, theselected notification may be output using existing notification hardware114 of the input device 110. For example, the notification hardware 114may include one or more light sources, speakers, or RF transmitters thatcan be used to output, or otherwise communicate, the UI-specificnotification information. In some aspects, the notification may beoutput as a unique pattern of lights (e.g., as described with respect toFIG. 4A). In some other aspects, the notification may be output as aunique pattern of sounds (e.g., as described with respect to FIG. 4B).Still further, in some aspects, the notification may be output as aunique RF codeword (e.g., as described with respect to FIG. 4C).

The system 100 detects the notification at a second device (640). Insome embodiments, the notification may be detected using existingdetection hardware 124 of the display device 120. For example, if thenotification comprises a pattern of lights, the display device 120 maydetect the notification using one or more cameras or photosensors (e.g.,as described with respect to FIG. 4A). On the other hand, if thenotification comprises a pattern of sounds, the display device 120 maydetect the notification using one or more microphones (e.g., asdescribed with respect to FIG. 4B). Still further, if the notificationcomprises one or more RF signals, the display device 120 may detect thenotification 102 using one or more RF receivers (e.g., as described withrespect to FIG. 4C).

The system 100 further matches the notification to a content item storedon the second device (650). More specifically, the display device 120may be configured to interpret and/or process the UI-specificnotifications output by the input device 110. In some aspects, thedisplay device 120 may select the appropriate content to be rendered onits display 122 based, at least in part, on the detected notification.For example, the display device 120 may use a LUT to match the detectednotification to a particular content item (e.g., image, video, or othermedia content) stored on, or otherwise accessible by, the display device120. In some embodiments, the content item may include instructions forproviding a second (e.g., subsequent) user input on the input device110.

The system 100 then renders the content item on a display of the seconddevice (660). In some embodiments, the display device 120 may generateand/or update a rich UI rendered on its display 122. As described above,the rich UI may include images, videos, and/or text corresponding to avisual guide or detailed instructions for providing a subsequent userinput, or otherwise interacting with, the input device 110. For example,the rich UI may display a step-by-step guide for initiating and/orcompleting a biometric enrollment process (e.g., as described withrespect to FIG. 3).

The system 100 may further receive the second user input at the firstdevice (670). For example, the second user input may be provided usingthe one or more input sources 112 of the input device 110 (e.g.,according to the instructions displayed on the display device). In someembodiments, the second user input may include a data and/or selectioninput provided using electrical and/or mechanical actuators of the inputdevice 110. In some other embodiments, the second user input may includea biometric input provided using a biometric sensor of the input device110. It is noted, however, that the input device 110 may not depend onany interaction with the display device 120 to receive any of the userinputs (e.g., as described with respect to FIG. 2).

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm stepsdescribed in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits,and steps have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware orsoftware depends upon the particular application and design constraintsimposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement thedescribed functionality in varying ways for each particular application,but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the disclosure.

The methods, sequences or algorithms described in connection with theaspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that theprocessor can read information from, and write information to, thestorage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integralto the processor.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments have been described withreference to specific examples thereof. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader scope of the disclosure as set forth in theappended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to beregarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a first device configuredto: receive a first user input; select a first notification from aplurality of notifications stored on the first device based at least inpart on the first user input; output the first notification using one ormore hardware resources of the first device; and receive a second userinput subsequent to the first user input; and a second device configuredto: detect the first notification output by the first device; match thefirst notification to a first content item stored on the second device,wherein the first content item includes instructions for providing thesecond user input on the first device; and render the first content itemon a display of the second device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thesecond device is to select the first content item from a plurality ofcontent items stored on the second device, and wherein each of thecontent items stored on the second device corresponds to a respectiveone of the notifications stored on the first device.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first device is further configured to: select asecond notification from the plurality of notifications based at leastin part on the second user input; and output the second notificationusing the one or more hardware resources.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the first device includes one or more actuators to receive thefirst user input, the first device being further configured to: enter anenrollment mode, for enrolling or managing biometric profiles on thefirst device, in response to the first user input.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the first device further includes a biometric sensor toreceive the second user input, the first device being further configuredto: generate or update a first biometric profile based at least in parton the second user input.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the firstdevice is further configured to: receive a third user input via thebiometric sensor; and authenticate a user of the first device based atleast in part on the third user input and the first biometric profile.7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first device is further configuredto: enable access to one or more functions of the first device inresponse to authenticating the user.
 8. The system of claim 1, whereinthe one or more hardware resources of the first device includes one ormore light sources to output the first notification as a pattern oflights, and wherein the second device includes a camera to capture thepattern of lights output by the first device.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the one or more hardware resources of the first device includesone or more audio output components to output the first notification asa pattern of sounds, and wherein the second device includes a microphoneto capture the pattern of sounds output by the first device.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more hardware resources of thefirst device includes one or more radio-frequency (RF) transmitters tooutput the first notification as an RF signal, and wherein the seconddevice includes an RF receiver to receive the RF signal output by thefirst device.
 11. A method of processing user inputs, comprising:receiving a first user input at a first device; selecting a firstnotification from a plurality of notifications stored on the firstdevice based at least in part on the first user input; outputting thefirst notification using one or more hardware resources of the firstdevice; detecting the first notification at a second device; matchingthe first notification to a first content item stored on the seconddevice, wherein the first content item includes instructions forproviding a second user input on the first device; and rendering thefirst content item on a display of the second device; and receiving thesecond user input at the first device subsequent to the first userinput.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the matching comprises:selecting the first content item from a plurality of content itemsstored on the second device, wherein each of the content items stored onthe second device corresponds to a respective one of the notificationsstored on the first device.
 13. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: selecting a second notification from the plurality ofnotifications stored on the first device based at least in part on thesecond user input; and outputting the second notification using the oneor more hardware resources of the first device.
 14. The method of claim11, wherein the first user input is received via one or more actuatorsof the first device, the method further comprising: entering anenrollment mode, for enrolling or managing biometric profiles on thefirst device, in response to the first user input.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the first user input is received via a biometricsensor of the first device, the method further comprising: generating orupdating a first biometric profile on the first device based at least inpart on the second user input.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: receiving a third user input via the biometric sensor of thefirst device; authenticating a user of the first device based at leastin part on the third user input and the first biometric profile; andenabling access to one or more functions of the first device in responseto authenticating the user.
 17. A display device, comprising: a display;one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the display device to:detect a notification output by an input device; match the notificationto a content item stored on the second device, wherein the content itemincludes instructions for providing a user input on the input device;and render the content item on the display.
 18. The display device ofclaim 16, wherein the notification comprises a pattern of lights, andwherein the display device further includes a camera to capture thepattern of lights output by the first device.
 19. The display device ofclaim 16, wherein the notification includes a pattern of sounds, andwherein the display device further includes a microphone to capture thepattern of sounds output by the first device.
 20. The display device ofclaim 16, wherein the notification includes a radio-frequency (RF)signal, the display device further includes an RF receiver to receivethe RF signal output by the first device.